The Plan: 6 things to do this weekend

Published: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 9:19 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, July 25, 2013 at 9:19 a.m.

18th annual Cape Fear Blues Festival

You don't have to be in a hard spot in your life to revel in the blues.

That being said, if money troubles have you down, its hardly an excuse to miss the Cape Fear Blues Festival, which returns for the 18th year with a couple of free events and plenty of affordable concerts. On Saturday, the main daytime jam session and festival tradition is a free blues workshop. This year's workshop will be held at Finkelstein Music at 6 S. Front St. and features local blues musicians Jake Horton (on the guitar) and Vince Stout (on percussion). The two will talk influences and technique and play some blues. The festival wraps up Sunday with two more free traditions: an “all-day” blues jam, which takes place under the tent at the Rusty Nail at 1310 S. 5th Avenue, and an annual guitar giveaway. Details: 350-8822 or www.CapeFearBlues.org

The Mrs.BeeHaving Show

It's not often that local ladies have the opportunity to strut their stuff on stage in lingerie for a good cause.

This Friday at 7 p.m., local photographer Shiang-ling Bissonnette will showcase small business and celebrate beauty with the Mrs.BeeHaving lingerie fashion show at The Balcony on Dock Street at 33 South Front St. A portion of the proceeds will go to Operation Pretty Things, a local group that makes gifts for domestic abuse victims.

With help from Bloke Apparel, Cape Fear Formal Wear, and the Adam and Eve shop, which will provide the model's getups, the show will feature tasteful, edgy fashions and styling, and live music, dancing, sweet treats, a silent auction and an open bar, Bissonnette said.

Tickets are $15 for early VIP entrance and a swag bag, $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Buy them online at thembhshow.eventbrite.com. The event is open to those 18 and up.

Details: 910-548-4133 or info@mrsbeehaving.com

Homebrewing expedition

Americans have been brewing beer at home since colonial times, but the trend is on an uptick – even the White House is making beer.

If you're a home-brew novice and want to learn more about fermentation and ingredients, or you're a seasoned brewer who wants to perfect his IPA recipe, Wilmington Homebrew Supply offers Friday night beer tastings and Saturday brewing demonstrations.

The specialty shop at 4405-A Wrightsville Avenue, which opened its doors a little more than a year ago, offers all kinds of beer-making equipment, including kits, grains, kettles and other necessities. On Friday, owners John Savard and Michelle Peck, both Wilmington natives, will cater to customers who want to talk shop, learn about flavors and sample four beers from Georgia's Terrapin Beer Company. The tastings, which feature a different brewery every week, take place from 4-7 p.m.

For the more adventurous, the couple offers free all-grain brewing classes on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. This week, they'll brew a Belgium white and offer guidance on the four-hour process, which includes boiling the mixture and adding hops, Savard said.

“We go through the whole process from scratch just like a brewery would, but we also help people with the steps they would use with a beer-making kit,” he said. “It's a demonstration for every stage of beer making and degree of difficulty.”

For information on this weekend's events, call 910-392-3315 or check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Wilmington-Homebrew-Supply.

Port City Food Swap

You don't have to own a farm to take part in the Port City Swappers Sunday food swap, but you do have to bring an item that is homemade, homegrown or foraged by you. The swap, which is slated for 4 p.m. Sunday at 317 Castle Street, allows area residents to barter with one another for homemade goodies like bakery items, jam, beer, honey, eggs, granola and fruits and vegetables. Tables will be provided and organizers ask that participants use safety and cleanliness in preparing foods for sharing. For more information on the process, email portcityswappers@gmail.com.

Irish music jam

If the blues aren't your thing and you would rather dance an Irish jig, all levels of musicians are invited to practice their reels, jigs, hornpipes and polkas at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dubliner, 1756 Carolina Beach Road in Sunset Park. Details: 612-6653

<p class="bold allcaps">18th annual Cape Fear Blues Festival</p>
<p>You don't have to be in a hard spot in your life to revel in the blues.</p><p>That being said, if money troubles have you down, its hardly an excuse to miss the Cape Fear Blues Festival, which returns for the 18th year with a couple of free events and plenty of affordable concerts. On Saturday, the main daytime jam session and festival tradition is a free blues workshop. This year's workshop will be held at Finkelstein Music at 6 S. Front St. and features local blues musicians Jake Horton (on the guitar) and Vince Stout (on percussion). The two will talk influences and technique and play some blues. The festival wraps up Sunday with two more free traditions: an “all-day” blues jam, which takes place under the tent at the Rusty Nail at 1310 S. 5th Avenue, and an annual guitar giveaway. Details: 350-8822 or www.CapeFearBlues.org</p><h3>The Mrs.BeeHaving Show</h3>
<p>It's not often that local ladies have the opportunity to strut their stuff on stage in lingerie for a good cause. </p><p>This Friday at 7 p.m., local photographer Shiang-ling Bissonnette will showcase small business and celebrate beauty with the Mrs.BeeHaving lingerie fashion show at The Balcony on Dock Street at 33 South Front St. A portion of the proceeds will go to Operation Pretty Things, a local group that makes gifts for domestic abuse victims. </p><p>With help from Bloke Apparel, Cape Fear Formal Wear, and the Adam and Eve shop, which will provide the model's getups, the show will feature tasteful, edgy fashions and styling, and live music, dancing, sweet treats, a silent auction and an open bar, Bissonnette said. </p><p>Tickets are $15 for early VIP entrance and a swag bag, $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Buy them online at thembhshow.eventbrite.com. The event is open to those 18 and up.</p><p>Details: 910-548-4133 or info@mrsbeehaving.com</p><h3>Homebrewing expedition</h3>
<p>Americans have been brewing beer at home since colonial times, but the trend is on an uptick – even the White House is making beer.</p><p>If you're a home-brew novice and want to learn more about fermentation and ingredients, or you're a seasoned brewer who wants to perfect his IPA recipe, Wilmington Homebrew Supply offers Friday night beer tastings and Saturday brewing demonstrations. </p><p>The specialty shop at 4405-A Wrightsville Avenue, which opened its doors a little more than a year ago, offers all kinds of beer-making equipment, including kits, grains, kettles and other necessities. On Friday, owners John Savard and Michelle Peck, both Wilmington natives, will cater to customers who want to talk shop, learn about flavors and sample four beers from Georgia's Terrapin Beer Company. The tastings, which feature a different brewery every week, take place from 4-7 p.m.</p><p>For the more adventurous, the couple offers free all-grain brewing classes on Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. This week, they'll brew a Belgium white and offer guidance on the four-hour process, which includes boiling the mixture and adding hops, Savard said.</p><p>“We go through the whole process from scratch just like a brewery would, but we also help people with the steps they would use with a beer-making kit,” he said. “It's a demonstration for every stage of beer making and degree of difficulty.” </p><p>For information on this weekend's events, call 910-392-3315 or check out their <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/facebook"><b>Facebook</b></a> page at www.facebook.com/pages/Wilmington-Homebrew-Supply.</p><h3>Port City Food Swap</h3>
<p>You don't have to own a farm to take part in the Port City Swappers Sunday food swap, but you do have to bring an item that is homemade, homegrown or foraged by you. The swap, which is slated for 4 p.m. Sunday at 317 Castle Street, allows area residents to barter with one another for homemade goodies like bakery items, jam, beer, honey, eggs, granola and fruits and vegetables. Tables will be provided and organizers ask that participants use safety and cleanliness in preparing foods for sharing. For more information on the process, email portcityswappers@gmail.com.</p><h3>Irish music jam</h3>
<p>If the blues aren't your thing and you would rather dance an Irish jig, all levels of musicians are invited to practice their reels, jigs, hornpipes and polkas at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Dubliner, 1756 Carolina Beach Road in Sunset Park. Details: 612-6653</p><p>– Cassie Foss</p>